01.20. When the Net is Cast

When the Net Is Cast Matthew 13:47-50

Again we return to a familiar theme in the everyday lives of the disciples, fishing. It seems as if Jesus is saying that the pictures of heaven are found in the everyday lives that you live if you will just look and see them. The people who lived in the villages around the Sea of Galilee had seen this scene many times. The boat would cast its net and then as the weight would drag the bottom of the sea the net would be draw with whatever kind of fish was captured. They would draw it upon the beach and then keep the fish good for food and cast back those that were of no value. The parable of the net is the last of seven parables that Jesus spoke on this occasion. Jesus was sitting on the seashore teaching the multitude from a boat. He told the multitude the parables of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9 ), of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30 ), of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32 ), and of the leaven (Matthew 13:33 ). In Matthew 13:36 it says, "Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him…" Jesus will explain the parable of the tares to them and then tell them additional parables. He give the parables of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44 ), of the goodly pearl (Matthew 13:45 ) and the parable of the net which we will look at today. This collection of parables all begin with, "The kingdom of heaven is like…" with only one except. The collections had "show the kingdom under aspects of favor—it spontaneous growth from vital resource, its expansion from a small seed to a sheltering tree, it leavening health, and exceeding worth." (Buttrick, George W., The Parables of Jesus. p 34). The parable of the net was probably intended to be a capstone of the parables.

I- Symbols in the Parable:

A- Net: For fishing in this area there were two kinds of nets used. First was a casting net that was thrown from shore as fish were observed. The fisherman would have to react quickly and accurately as he threw the net. You many have observed this type of fishing at the beach occasionally today. The second kind of net that was used was the drag-net. This net was, "a great square net with cords at each corner, and weighted so that, at rest, it hung, as it were, upright in the water. Then when the boat began to move the net was drawn into the shape of a great cone and into the cone all kinds of fish were swept." (Barclay, William, The Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of Matthew, p 99.) We can discern that this net did not discern the good from the bad but simply collected everything in its path.

B- Sea:

    Sea is used in scripture to refer to humanity. We notice this in Isaiah 57:20 "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."

    In the prophecy of Daniel and the Revelation the Anti-christ is said to rise from the sea, or from humanity. Daniel 7:3 "And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another." Revelation 13:1 "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."

    The sea here refers to humanity, all of humanity. There are some today who consider themselves big fish. But notice the big fish, the small fish and all in between were caught in the net. I am reminded that God is no respecter of persons.     

C- Fishermen:

    These fishermen give us a picture of the men who are fishing for men. They are so to speak casting the gospel net.

D- Fish:

    As we have said, there were big fish and small fish caught in the net. There were good fish and bad fish caught as well. The fish give us a picture of all humans that will be called into judgment.

    You will notice that the fish were of every kind. This reminds us that in the time to come that people of every nation, tongue and religion will be judged.

E- Angels:

    The angels are said in this parable to the ones who will divide the good from the bad at the judgment. Angels today have been given the job of ministering to the saints. In the time to come they will have another role in the judgment. Notice Revelation 14:18-19 "And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. ¹⁹ And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God."

II- Teachings of the Parable: This parable lays a decision across men’s path to confront them to make a decision for eternity. It has been called a terrible parable. Someone said it should be trembled at rather than expounded upon. The reason for this is that it teaches the reality of judgment to come. Notice a couple of things if you will.

1- There is coming a day of judgment for all.

    As we have previously stated there will be no big fish when the net is drawn. Notice the words of Revelation 20:12 "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." What will be you lot when the net is cast?    

2- When the net was full. In the fullness of time judgment will come. The danger of putting off the decision to accept Christ or delaying witnessing to someone is that the net may be cast while we wait. We know not the time when the judgment will come and Christ will come again. While we know that many will be saved during the tribulation period there is a scripture that seems to teach that those who have hear the gospel prior to this will not believe. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie…" So it seems that it is a unwise and even a foolish decision to put off accepting Christ.

3- Judgment will mean separation:

    "…and sever the wicked from among the just." Matthew 13:49 . While there will literally be millions and millions in hell many feel that there will still be total separation from others. If this is not the case then we can certainly say that there will be no friendships and compassion there.

4- Judgment means eternal punishment:

Notice the words of Christ. "As shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:50 Jesus preached salvation but the most vivid and fearful accounts of hell and the suffering to come was hear from the mouth of the Savior. The great question that is asked is what will be your lot if the net were cast today. Would you be cast into the fire or find your place in Christ.